$29.95
Bill Bryson describes himself as a reluctant traveller; but even when he stays safely in his own study at home, he can't contain his curiosity about the world around him. A Short History of Nearly Everything is his quest to find out everything that has happened from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization - how we got from there, being nothing at all, to here, being us. Bill Bryson's challenge is to take subjects that normally bore the pants off most of us, like geology, chemistry and particle physics, and see if there isn't some way to render them comprehensible to people who have never thought they could be interested in science. It's not so much about what we know, as about how we know what we know. How do we know what is in the centre of the Earth, or what a black hole is, or where the continents were 600 million years ago? How did anyone ever figure these things out? On his travels through time and space, he encounters a splendid collection of astonishingly eccentric, competitive, obsessive and foolish scientists, like the painfully shy Henry Cavendish who worked out many conundrums like how much the Earth weighed, but never bothered to tell anybody about many of his findings. In the company of such extraordinary people, Bill Bryson takes us with him on the ultimate eye-opening journey, and reveals the world in a way most of us have never seen it before.
$29.95
Astronomers have long known that the Universe is expanding, but everything they could see indicated that gravity should be slowing this spread. Instead, it appears that the Universe is accelerating its expansion and that something stronger than gravity --dark energy -- is at work. In Einstein's Telescope Evalyn Gates, a University of Chicago astrophysicist, transports us to the edge of contemporary science to explore the revolutionary tool that unlocks the secrets of these little-understood cosmic constituents. Based on Einstein's theory of general relativity, gravitational lensing, or "Einstein's Telescope," is enabling new discoveries that are taking us toward the next revolution in scientific thinking -- one that may change forever our notions of where the Universe came from and where it is going.$64.95
The first full-scale biography of the most renowned name in science to be written since those who closely guarded his privacy have died. Based on 20 years of research and interviews with intimate friends and associates willing to discuss Einstein as never before, this riveting book details his childhood and youth. Contains extensive material on his adult life never published before to reveal the crux of Einstein's personality and private life in a way few others have. Includes rare photographs.$24.95
Now you can join Australia's best-known astronomer, Fred Watson, on a unique tour to unravel the mysteries of space and time. Take in primitive observatories in ancient Peru and the world's largest atom-smasher in modern-day Switzerland. See Pluto demoted from planetary status. Go behind headlines to find the truth about the Transit of Venus and the Higgs Boson. Meet some of science's most colourful characters.$14.95
Spent all your pocket money again? There are heaps of great things you can make with stuff that's lying round the house - and they won't cost you a cent! Ages 7-12. Check out all the toys and gizmos you can make with simple household stuff! From Mexican jumping beans to a diving octopus and a popcorn lava lamp, you'll be whizzing and spinning like crazy. Watch out you don't get dizzy! Ages 7-12.$14.95
Think you′ve got all the answers? ABC TV′s Surfing Scientist, Ruben Meerman, is back and this time he′s challenging the inner workings of your brain with 40 science and logic puzzles. How many will you solve? And how many will leave you stumped? Can you share this cake between eight friends with only three straight cuts? Can you connect the dots by drawing four straight lines without lifting your pencil? How can these four cars continue on their way at the same time without colliding? Can you fit a 50c coin through a 10c sized hole without tearing the paper? With loads of photos and fascinating facts, plus hints and solutions, you′ll stretch and test your mind with these fun and challenging puzzles. So what are you waiting for? Get into it! Ages 7+$24.95
A highly entertaining and informative introduction to our planet and the universe we live in. Have you ever wondered what dark matter is or why galaxies collide? Or why the Moon is gradually drifting away from Earth? Space is really, really big, as Douglas Adams once pointed out, and there is no better guide to it than Fred Watson, astronomer to the stars. Fred Watson has taken the many, many questions that have been asked by listeners of his popular, long-running radio shows, and answered them in Why Is Uranus Upside Down? * How can you identify the constellations? * Does the Earth wobble? * Could you dump nuclear waste into the Sun? * What makes planets round? * Where's the nearest black hole? * Are there other universes? * Can we ever know everything? This highly entertaining and informative introduction to our planet and the Universe we live in is a must-read for enquiring minds of all ages.